Life is a journey...

"[Life] is a journey, but even the journey itself is joyful when I'm doing it holding the hand of my Savior and trusting him all along the way." ~Joyful Journey podcast introduction

The quote above opens one of my favorite podcasts. It reminds me that life can be full of adventure and unexpected turns, BUT the companion of the journey makes the experience worth every step. 

The other day I woke up in a panic. 

The list of things to do felt insurmountable and I didn't know how I was going to complete all those tasks with a worn-out body exhausted from the heat. 

I felt the Lord gently guide my eyes upward to him. "Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things." ~Colossians 3:2

It is a verse that has come back to mind many times in the last few months. 

I am adjusting to a new culture, a new language, a new profession, a new life stage, a new environment, new people, and so many other changes! I am planning a wedding, preparing for a marriage, planning, learning, and praying. Sometimes my mind is drawn to fear. Fear of messing up. Fear of saying the wrong thing or doing the wrong thing. Fear of offending others unintentionally. Fear of not loving well. 

When those moments come, the Lord gently reminds me to look UP. 

When I "look up" (sometimes figuratively, sometimes literally), I see my beautiful Savior holding the hand of a little girl...me. "I am right here with you," he reminds me (Matthew 28:20). 

I have a Father who is the Creator of the World (Genesis 1:1). I have a Savior who has volunteered to cover me with His righteousness if I trust Him with my sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). I have a Holy Spirit who is interceding for me (Romans 8:26-27). I have nothing to fear (Isaiah 41:10). 

As we reach the final days of the beautiful season of engagement and approach the beginning days of a lovely season of marriage, I want to keep my eyes focused on the One who loved me first and the One who loves me best (1 John 4:7). 

16 days!

"Auntie, is that your real hair?"

 Language is such a powerful tool. 

I was recently contributing to a teacher workshop in a nearby village. I was practicing speaking Gio (the local language) with some of the children. 

One child asked, "Auntie, is that your real hair?" 

I explained that it was and continued to practice my Gio. 

"A go Kwiplay" (I am from America.)

The little girl looked at me in surprise. She thought I was Liberian!

I don't know much Gio. I know how to greet someone, say my name, ask how someone is doing, and tell where I am from. But even the little that I do know was enough to instantly create connection. 

The other day, my love and I were talking about the Tower of Babel. We realized that when the language scattered, so did cultures. God created divisions among people because of their wicked, evil hearts to use unity to accomplish their own goal. Pride is such a pervasive evil, even in our own hearts today!

We continue to see the fall-out from that day as we struggle to understand and truly love those with different background, languages, and mindsets. 

But as we move through life, we seek to fix the error of our forefathers long ago and seek to be united in faith for the sake of God's glory. May God continue to be glorified! 

The good news is...restoration is coming! And we look forward to that day!

"After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from EVERY NATION, from ALL TRIBES and PEOPLES and LANGUAGES, standing before the throne and before the Lamb." ~Revelation 7:9

I just want to help...

Last week we were riding on the motorbike to run some errands in a nearby town. I looked around and saw all the familiar sights...families cooking below simple roofs to find shelter and their one meal of rice for the day. Children walking miles with HUGE bundles of sticks on their heads and no shoes on their feet. People of all ages bathing and washing in the river, their only source of water. Little boys running around and building motorbikes because their parents couldn't afford the $100 to send them to school. 

I started to think about all the ways I could help fix Liberia's hardships. 

And then...I realized I was seeing the wrong thing. 

When I started mountain biking, my friend told me to "look at where you want to go." In biking, your bike will follow where you look. If you look at the turn ahead, you and your bike with navigate the turn with relative ease. If you look at the tree in fear, you will likely run yourself right into the tree.

In this case, meditating on the hurt and brokenness of Liberia will not lead me to peace. Yes, I need to be aware of the brokenness and be obedient to assist how I can, but Jesus told us that the poor will always be among us (Matthew 26:11). Until we reach heaven, we cannot solve all the world's problems. Only restoration can do that. 

So until then, I choose to look at the beauty. I choose to see the hard-working mothers, the strong children who walk miles without complaint, the love of community huddled under a thatched roof, and children that find incredible privilege in going to school each day. I praise the Lord for His common grace, the unique abilities that He has given His children, and the beautiful image-bearers that reflect His beautiful character. 

And when an opportunity to help comes along, I will step forward in faith and love. I will strive to continue with the mind of Christ who came to serve. And that starts with seeing the beauty.

Praise the Lord!

The Beautiful Roller Coaster of Life

 Every day in Liberia is filled with unexpected twists, turns, beauties, and surprises. It is a life full of joy as you learn to view life as a roller coaster with the Lord as your car. No matter how many twists and turns life throws you, your car is always constant security. Praise the Lord! 

Take the other day, for example. I came home from teaching at ABC University to find 3 guests sitting at the table. A very usual experience. 

They joined us for dinner, our usual 4 getting doubled to 8 when Milton's brother joined us as well. We sat around the table enjoying food and conversation. 

Then Milton started talking in Gio, his native language. He asked our guests if they knew Jesus. After engaging in more conversation, they agreed they needed to accept Jesus as their personal Savior. They had been attending church for some time, but they had never understood the need to take a step of faith in following him (don't mind my exploding inner celebration!).

We invited them over to the living room and Milton prayed with them. 

I found such beauty in such a simple, yet profound moment. Dinner and hospitality turned gospel opportunity. I left reflecting on the beauty of the Lord's hand in every situation. My love, who has connections and the ability to speak their native language. The faithful house helpers that help prepare every meal with love. The timing of the Lord to prompt a conversation.

Not every meal is blessed with a salvation story, but faithfulness bring fruit, so we continue to walk in faithfulness every day, not knowing what blessings are in store for the day. 

Praise the Lord <3

Liberia

 The Lord leads us guides us in many ways to many places. 

The years since my last blog posts have been filled with lots of activities, twists, and turns, but one thing has remained a part of my life...missions. 

Little did I know that the Lord had a beautiful plan in store involving a long plane ride, a beach front, and a wonderful godly man. 

Subscribe if you would like to continue on this adventure with us to receive periodic updates and how you can partner in a variety of ways with what the Lord is doing in Liberia. 

Psalm 96:3

"Declare His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all peoples."

This is our heart. To God be the Glory!

Estoy Contenta

"Estan contentos?" (Are you content?)

This is a frequent question asked of children in a VBS. Today I can confidently say "Yes!" My heart is so full.

As I have been reflecting on my time here in Guatemala, I have been incredibly blessed. 

The Lord has taught me some valuable lessons about my perfectionism (especially through David's example in 2 Samuel).

He has blessed me beyond words with the relationships that have formed and deepened during my time here. 

Thank you for your prayers and support during this time of ministry. Keep praying for Oscar, Karla, and their family as they continue the work of the Lord.

And another one gone...

Last week we had a group come from Hartland, WI. They were fantastic! They were energetic, well-organized, and super encouraging. All my fears and nerves were gone after the first couple days. Thank you Jesus!

Every day we spent time in a church in San Juan. We ran a VBS and then visited homes of people who were sick or unable to come to church. 

It was amazing to see the high school students grow in their confidence and love of the kids. There may be a language barrier for some of these students, but that doesn't change the way they can love on the kiddos. They would dance with the kids, play games with them, and use translators (like Marie and I) to communicate with them.

At the end of the week, the kids and parents LOVED the members of the group. We spent 1 hour saying good-bye. Thousands of pictures were taken and hugs were shared. Celebrity status???

One day, the group went to land purchased by Oscar, the missionary we work with, to provide a training center and respite facility for pastors. We helped weed out the land by hand to prepare it for a building project in a couple weeks.

All in all, I am always amazed at how the LORD works though willing hearts. He has a perfect plan through it all. He was the center of the relationships formed among Guatemalans and Americans alike. :)